The Church: Serving Christ for the Right Reason

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Scripture Text:  1 Timothy 3:8-16

1 Timothy 3:8-9

 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. ⁹ They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

(ESV)

The mission of the Church is to spread the Gospel message and make disciples (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20).  In last Saturday’s posting, we looked at the qualifications of overseers or elders, pastors, and bishops in the Church.  1 Timothy 3:8-13 deals with the qualifications of deacons in the Church.  However, prior to beginning this study, we must define what the Bible means by a deacon.

The origin of the church office of deacon goes back to Acts 6:1-7 and the selection of the seven chosen to serve.  The Greek word translated serve in Acts 6:2 is diakoneo from which we get the word deacon in 1 Timothy 3:8.  (1)  Therefore, a deacon in the Church is one attending to the needs of those in the church which in Acts 6:1 are the Hellenistic widows.  However, qualifications for deacons outlined in 1 Timothy 3:8-13 may cause some to believe they are unworthy to serve in the capacity of deacon.  However, when we consider the context and audience of this passage in 1 Timothy, we see that these qualifications are not there to create a sense of unworthiness to serve but to ensure service for the right reason.

The context of 1 Timothy 3:8-13 is a church subjected to the false teaching of works-based salvation as opposed to salvation by the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8).  The audience addressed is Timothy who is about to become pastor of this troubled church.  This list of qualifications provides guidance to Timothy, ensuring those serving in the church are not part of the group spreading the false teaching polluting the doctrine of the Church.  The inclusion of these instructions in the Bible indicates a continuing need for church leaders to ensure those serving do so to glorify God and not to spread any false teaching.  These qualifications are present to ensure

1)      No hidden agendas (1 Timothy 3:8) – A modern translation of the term double-tongued today might the use of the cliché of one speaking out of both sides of their mouths.  Service in the Church must have the objective of contributing to the church’s mission of spreading the Gospel and making disciples and not with a hidden agenda of spreading non-biblical theology.  1 Timothy 3:10 instructs Timothy to test those aspiring to serve as deacons.  Part of this testing must include the determination of one’s motive to serve does not include any hidden agendas. 

2)      The self-control of those serving (1 Timothy 3:8) – All have sinned and fallen short of God’s standard, but believers have received forgiveness of these sins at the Cross (Romans 3:23; Ephesians 2:8).  However, the forgiveness of sins at the Cross is not permission to continue sinning, believing Jesus will forgive the sin.  Instead, our old life of sin died with Christ on the cross with us now united with Christ through His resurrection into a new life (Romans 6:1-14).  Living a new life of service to Christ and His church involves living a life of self-control that resists the temptation to sin.  Granted, nobody is perfect which is why we can call upon God for the forgiveness of sin and move on (1 John 1:9).  Part of the testing of one aspiring to become a deacon must also include testing of their self-control. 

3)      One does not serve for financial gain (1 Timothy 3:8) – In order to wisely use the money people give to the Church, churches rely on volunteers to serve as deacons.  However, in testing those aspiring to serve as deacons, the church must ensure they do not have a hidden agenda to profit from serving others as this would constitute dishonest financial gain.  The initial purpose for the office of deacon in the church was a ministry to the needs of the poor in the congregation (Acts 6:1-7).  The reward for service to the church is a heavenly reward and not temporary financial gain. 

4)      Sound doctrine absent of false teaching (1 Timothy 3:9) – The threat of the infiltration of false teaching through those serving as deacons remains today.  Therefore, part of the testing of those aspiring to serve as deacons must include testing of one’s personal doctrine aligning with biblical doctrine.  This testing occurs over time as church leadership observes how one conducts their life.  Part of this testing involves observation of how one aspiring to becoming a deacon manages his or her own household (1 Timothy 3:11-12). 

Through adherence to these guidelines for serving as a deacon, the church ensures those serving do so with the right purpose and contribute to the mission of the Church (1 Timothy 3:14-16).  I want to encourage all reading this to find their place of service to Christ within the Church and to do so with the right purpose, bringing glory to God and not to bring attention to self.  All service to Christ and the church puts a smile on God’s face when done to glorify God. 

1. Cowen, Gerald. What is a Deacon and What is Their Role? www.crosswalk.com. [Online] Crosswalk.com, December 11, 2003. [Cited: June 1, 2019.] https://www.crosswalk.com/church/pastors-or-leadership/the-role-of-the-deacon-1235697.html.